Unlocking Windows using a script

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Gigglestick 2

Gigglestick 2

I know there have been numerous conversations on the forum about unlocking Windows with a script and as far as I know no one has figured out a way to do it with AutoIt yet.

Splinterware's System Scheduler claims to be able to do it, and I use LogMeIn.com at home, which presents a dialog on the login screen with an "Unlock" button that unlocks the computer so I know it can be done.

My company enforces a 15+ character (LMHash turned off) complex passphrase with no dictionary words and a 10-minute screen saver limit forced to lock the computer, all of which is audited randomly each month. I would love to create a program that "listens" for a set of keys like ctrl+alt+shift+win+break that unlocks the computer.

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seandisanti 3

seandisanti 3

I know there have been numerous conversations on the forum about unlocking Windows with a script and as far as I know no one has figured out a way to do it with AutoIt yet.

Splinterware's System Scheduler claims to be able to do it, and I use LogMeIn.com at home, which presents a dialog on the login screen with an "Unlock" button that unlocks the computer so I know it can be done.

My company enforces a 15+ character (LMHash turned off) complex passphrase with no dictionary words and a 10-minute screen saver limit forced to lock the computer, all of which is audited randomly each month. I would love to create a program that "listens" for a set of keys like ctrl+alt+shift+win+break that unlocks the computer.

Any ideas?

i think it could be accomplished using DLLCall()'s, but there are enough ways to avoid the auto lock that i don't think it's even worth researching.

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Confuzzled 1

Confuzzled 1

I want and need the computer to lock when I'm away. I just want a simpler way to unlock it than remembering and entering such a pain-in-the-arse password several times a day.

*EDIT* Basically I'm lazy. i.e. My sig.

And soon unemployed!

You sure you want to violate company policy? You may wish to contact the security people and point out to them that human nature being what it is, security policies that are too onerous actually force users to work around them, causing even greater security problems in the long term.

If in doubt, do the usual thing - write down the password, put in in the top drawer of your desk, lock the drawer and put the key in the second drawer. Don't forget a post-it note on the monitor reminding you where you hid the password.

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Bert 1,272

Bert 1,272

I don't think there is a way to do it in the way you describe, but you could use a biometric device that stores your password, and that way, all you need is your fingerprint. Remember seeing the ad for thinkpads and it had the Lee Major cameo?

while 1
if winexists("Windows Task Manager") then
; read my password
;send my password where needed
exit
endif
wend
[code=auto:0]
?
8)
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MrSpacely
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Posted December 19, 2005
Actually there are cheap hardware devices wich read fingerprint and can be installed in windows and wich log in on fingerprint.
I going to buy one on usb for 19 euros (wich would be about 22 dollars)
works easy cannot be used from remote control and is really difficult to gues your finger
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Valuater
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Posted December 19, 2005
when the task manager is displayed you could hit
file > run> a program to Unlock???
8)
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MrSpacely
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Posted December 19, 2005
(edited)
when the task manager is displayed you could hitfile > run> a program to Unlock???8)How do you display the taskmgr when the pc is locked it doesn't show up here.
Edited December 19, 2005 by MrSpacely
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Gigglestick
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Posted December 19, 2005
(edited)
There is software that does what I'm looking for. One is the LogMeIn.com client. Once you authenticate to their website and to the target computer, there is a simple "Login" button displayed below the Windows dialog so you can click on that instead of sending a ctrl-alt-del and typing your password. I just want to listen for a key combo like ctrl-alt-win-shift-pause or something and then simulate this action of simply unlocking the PC.
I don't want to use ctrl-alt-del, or attempt to override it.
I can't use a fingerprint device at work because of security measures that detect unauthorized hardware and the long, involved process of clearing new devices. This will probably happen eventually anyway, but it won't be for a few years because of the lengths to which my company goes overboard with evaluations of new products. Of course, I could use this at home and might consider it.
This is really more of a challenge since I've seen other software do it than me being intent on breaking Windows' security.
Edited December 19, 2005 by c0deWorm
My UDFs: ExitCodes
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Valuater
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Posted December 19, 2005
How do you display the taskmgr when the pc is locked it doesn't show up here.gotcha.. i have never used a lock it was just a thought8)
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gamerman2360
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Posted December 19, 2005
Ive heard things like the windows lock diologue box running on a different desktop or something. At least I read it in another topic. Anyway if you want, I guess you could do something like have lock your computer and stuff. It wouldn't be as safe tho. you could have it hide all the windows, and make sure the taskmanager couldnt do anything.
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gamerman2360
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Posted December 19, 2005
Wow. I just tried renaming taskmgr.exe to something else to try to get it to not run... It ended up installing it again, lol. Microsoft is tricky...
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gamerman2360
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Posted December 19, 2005
(edited)
This:; ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
;
; AutoIt Version: 3.1.0.92
; Author: Steve B
;
; Script Function:
; Locks Windows.
;
; ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
#NoTrayIcon
Opt("WinTitleMatchMode", 2)
Opt("WinWaitDelay", 0)
Global $desktop_nr = 0, $exitready = 0
HotKeySet("{PAUSE}", "Hide")
AdlibEnable("Adlib")
Hide()
While True
WinWaitActive("Run")
WinKill("Run")
WEnd
Func Hide()
HotKeySet(@HotKeyPressed)
$list = WinList()
If $desktop_nr = 0 Then
For $n = 1 To $list[0][0]
If Not BitAND(WinGetState($list[$n][1]), 2) Then ContinueLoop
$desktop_nr = $desktop_nr + 1
Assign("desktop" & $desktop_nr, $list[$n][1], 2)
WinSetState($list[$n][1], "", @SW_HIDE)
Next
Else
For $n = 1 To $desktop_nr
WinSetState(Eval("desktop" & $n), "", @SW_SHOW)
Next
$desktop_nr = 0
Exit
EndIf
HotKeySet(@HotKeyPressed, "Hide")
EndFunc ;==>Switch
Func OnAutoItExit()
If @ExitMethod = 3 Or @ExitMethod = 4 Then Return
For $n = 1 To $desktop_nr
WinSetState(Eval("desktop" & $n), "", @SW_SHOW)
Next
EndFunc
Func Adlib()
If WinExists("Windows Task Manager") Then WinKill("Windows Task Manager")
EndFunc

will lock all windows and keep "Windows Task Manager" and "Run" from running. If you can setup a Scheduled Task to activate it every time the computer goes idle, you will be set.

[edit]

I've tried using "^!+#{PAUSE}" as the hotkey but it dosn't work... Be careful if you try it.

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Gigglestick 2

Gigglestick 2

Thank you all for your efforts, but once again, I am not looking to make Windows lock or prevent it from locking, but to make it easier to unlock Windows once it's already locked (either manually or by the screen saver with the "lock screen" check box enabled).

@volleyman

Thanks, but that's way too involved a process. I'll just continue typing my password, which, to be honest, is what I will end up doing at work even if I can figure out the solution to this problem because of the possibility of being fired for circumventing security measures. I would like to use this at home though where I do keep my computers locked when I'm away.

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Bert 1,272

Bert 1,272

No biggie. I just know management LOVES to be able to save money. Its even better when a employee submits a idea and lets the manager, as well as everyone in the local department get some of the credit. No, it isn't brown nosing, it making everyone on the team look good. This way, more people are behind it, and it is more likely to get done.